Search Results (176)

This study explores the determinants of startup intention within the context of e-commerce platform-based startups in South Korea. We employ an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) that integrates individual, social, and entrepreneurial characteristics. A two-step analytical approach is applied, combining variable extraction through data mining and hypothesis testing using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that personal and social factors—such as entrepreneurial mindset and social influence—positively affect perceived usefulness, while job relevance and exposure to successful startup models enhance perceived ease of use. In contrast, security concerns and technological barriers negatively impact these relationships, posing critical obstacles to platform-based startups. This study extends the TAM framework to the platform-based startup context, offering theoretical contributions and proposing policy implications, including promoting digital literacy, developing entrepreneurial networks, and addressing security and regulatory issues. These insights offer a deeper understanding of how platform environments shape entrepreneurial behavior, providing practical guidance for startup founders, developers, and policymakers. Full article

Entrepreneurial intention research requires further examination of systemic relationships between constructs of comprehensive models that will more closely approximate the ontological realities of individuals. This research jointly examines relationships among basic individual values and constructs from the theory of planned behavior, entrepreneurial orientation, and entrepreneurial intention while accounting for multiple contextual factors. Situational factors are accounted for by random determination of mediators, examination of 23 model configurations, and use of quasi-random samples (e.g., respondents with different demographic factors from different organizations, industries, and regions) from two culturally and economically contrasting countries, the United States and India. Models were analyzed using PLS-SEM. Contrary to the “common view”—the idea that Western countries are individualistic and Asian and Latin American countries are collectivistic—individual personal focus values and passion relationships were stronger for India’s sample than for the United States. Contrary results were found for basic individual social focus values and subjective norms relationships. Results show a lack of stark disparities between the two country samples. Hence, it seems that between-country differences have been overemphasized, while more attention to context and to within-country variability is required. This study expands the entrepreneurial orientation nomological network by jointly considering basic individual values and TPB’s and EO’s constructs anteceding entrepreneurial intention and examining a large set of model configurations while accounting for multiple situational factors in two culturally and economically contrasting countries. Full article

Entrepreneurship serves as a vital engine of economic development, yet the mechanisms translating entrepreneurial intention into behavior have gradually emerged. This study employs bibliometric analysis of 61 SSCI-indexed articles (2014–2024) using CiteSpace to examine co-authorship networks, co-citation patterns, and research hotspots. Our findings demonstrate that individual-level factors (personality traits, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurship education) drive both entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial behavior. More importantly, environmental factors (university milieu, regional social legitimacy, and national cultural dimensions) moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and behavior. The study also identifies a temporal pattern in the entrepreneurial intention–behavior correlation. These results advance theoretical understanding of the intention–behavior transition and offer practical insights for entrepreneurship education and policy design. Full article

This research presents a comprehensive scientometric analysis of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), a fundamental concept in strategic management and business performance. Through a bibliometric approach, 4314 articles indexed in the Web of Science from 1975 to 2024 were analyzed using advanced network analysis tools such as VOSviewer to examine the evolution of scientific production, citations, authors, journals, institutions, and the most influential countries in the field. The findings reveal an exponential growth in “EO” research over the past decades, with a high concentration of scientific output in the last eight years. The United States leads in publication volume and citations, followed by other countries with an increasing contribution. Co-authorship patterns and academic collaboration clusters have been identified, consolidating key research lines that link “EO” with innovation, market orientation, and business performance. This study provides a comprehensive perspective on the evolution of “EO” research, offering valuable insights for academics, policymakers, and professionals interested in new theoretical directions and practical applications that foster knowledge development and business competitiveness. Full article

The empowerment of rural women through sustainable entrepreneurship is pivotal for fostering economic development and social transformation in developing communities. This study examines the impact of university social responsibility (USR) programs on strengthening sustainable entrepreneurship among rural women, emphasizing the mediating role of economic empowerment. Utilizing a structural equation model (SEM), we explore causal pathways between USR interventions, entrepreneurial capacities, and the sustainability of rural businesses. Key dimensions analyzed include economic resources, social networks, and psychological self-efficacy, as well as their interrelation with community development. The findings demonstrate that multidimensional USR programs integrating technical training, social support, and economic resources significantly enhance entrepreneurial resilience and value chain integration. Notably, the analysis reveals that economic empowerment mediates the relationship between USR programs and business sustainability, with improvements in community participation and ICT quality identified as critical drivers. Furthermore, the post-intervention results highlight a shift from technology access challenges to a focus on ICT content quality and psychosocial development, reflecting maturity in community adaptation and resource utilization. This research provides empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of USR programs in catalyzing sustainable transformations in rural contexts. The results offer actionable insights for designing targeted interventions that integrate technical, social, and economic dimensions, contributing to the advancement of sustainable entrepreneurship and rural development theory. Full article

Community enterprises play an essential role in advancing sustainable development; however, limited strategic frameworks impede their ability to integrate economic, social, and environmental objectives effectively. This study explores the strategic roles undertaken by community enterprise entrepreneurs to address this gap. Adopting a mixed-methods design, this research integrates qualitative data from in-depth interviews and participatory observations with quantitative analysis based on 215 standardized survey responses. The findings reveal consistent emphasis on five critical strategic roles: vision and goal-setting, resource management, networking and collaboration, innovation leadership, and strategic leadership, with mean ratings between 4.45 and 4.54 on a five-point Likert scale. Qualitative insights further illuminate how entrepreneurs leverage these strategies to optimize resources, foster cross-sector partnerships, drive innovation, and strengthen organizational resilience. Policy recommendations include enhancing infrastructure, developing entrepreneurial capacity, and promoting multi-sectoral ecosystems to support community enterprises. This study contributes to the theoretical discourse by proposing a five-dimensional strategic entrepreneurship model for sustainable community development, offering practical guidelines for policymakers and entrepreneurs seeking to foster resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local economies. Full article

Social embeddedness describes the extent to which firms are integrated into a social network in different situations and is an important concept in the entrepreneurship literature. Much of the existing research on embeddedness focuses on how entrepreneurs integrate into their host countries or the business activities of transnational entrepreneurs who operate across both their host and home countries. While a limited number of studies have examined sustainable entrepreneurs, previous studies have not sufficiently examined the nature of entrepreneurs’ social embeddedness and its effect on their sustainable entrepreneurial activities. This study seeks to understand how sustainable entrepreneurs utilize their social embeddedness when navigating business challenges. This study followed a multiple-case study approach based on data collected from in-depth inquiries into eight founders of sustainable startups in Nigeria. The findings show that sustainable entrepreneurs use social embeddedness as a strategy to navigate challenges encountered at different stages of their business. The findings make a theoretical contribution by describing how sustainable entrepreneurs use social embeddedness as a strategy to navigate business challenges in a developing country context. The findings offer implications for policymakers of emerging economies and sustainable entrepreneurship support organizations. Full article

This study aims to analyze how women’s empowerment in sustainable entrepreneurial leadership transforms social, environmental, and economic challenges into growth opportunities within B Corps-certified companies in Latin America. A total of 9536 companies were identified in the global B Corps registry, of which more than 1000 belonged to the Latin America and Caribbean directory. Particular attention was given to 130 companies located in Chile, with a presence in countries such as Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. The methodology adopted a post-positivist approach with a hermeneutic analysis rooted in organizational studies, using the Straussian grounded theory method. Testimonies from 16 female entrepreneurs were explored, identified through the B Corps directory and the main social media networks of the B system in Latin America. This approach enabled a deeper understanding of the human complexity surrounding sustainability, equity, and gender equality. Findings show that female leadership promotes inclusive and strategic actions that challenge traditional structures and generate positive impacts. Five categories emerged: female entrepreneurial leadership; gender equality stakeholders; social contribution; women’s economic development; and sustainable decision-making. These converge in the central category of female empowerment in sustainable entrepreneurial leadership. In conclusion, the emerging theory expands the understanding of women-led leadership in Latin America, revealing socially responsible business models that promote sustainability, inclusion, and challenge dominant power structures in the business world. Full article

This study examines the impact of cooperative development levels and collaboration models on social network relations in İzmir, Türkiye. The research aims to uncover how the developmental stages of cooperatives affect their relational positions and the structural configurations within the network. Empirical data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. A mixed-methods design, integrating thematic content analysis with social network analysis (SNA), was employed. Development levels were evaluated based on entrepreneurial orientation and innovativeness. Sociometric data validity was enhanced through cross-validation of actor-reported ties. The SNA identified actor clusters, relationship intensities, and positional configurations within the network. Results indicate that cooperatives at advanced development stages are significantly more active in entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives and exhibit a greater degree of centrality, form denser clusters, and occupy structurally prominent positions. Finally, the results reveal that the adopted model of collaboration directly influences both the structure and quality of network relationships and that there is a significant correlation between cooperation strategies and network centrality. Although the study is limited to a focused sample of 15 local actors, including six cooperatives, and thus restricts generalizability, it provides valuable insights into the micro-dynamics of cooperative networks within localized agricultural contexts. Full article

This study examines how entrepreneurial finance, entrepreneurial networking, and entrepreneurial culture contribute to sustainable business among culinary micro-enterprises in Bandung City, Indonesia. This study fills a gap in the literature by highlighting that micro-enterprises’ sustainability, from economic, social, and environmental aspects, is not always underpinned by formal institutional support. Using a qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews with 10 culinary micro-enterprise owners whose businesses have been able to survive across generations, this study found that business owners manage their finances adaptively, build trust-based social networks, and apply local cultural values to sustainable business practices. The findings show that trust and flexibility in informal funding play a crucial role in entrepreneurial finance, while challenging the view that access to formal financing is the main prerequisite for sustainability. Entrepreneurial culture proves to be a strategic internal resource in strengthening environmentally friendly practices. The originality of this study offers an alternative perspective that is more contextualized and grounded in understanding the sustainability strategies of micro-enterprises in developing countries. Full article

This study investigates how displaced women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia’s fragile institutional environment apply effectuation principles to sustain their businesses. Through analysis of five effectuation dimensions, we find that while affordable loss strategies and means orientation enhance business resilience, traditional effectuation approaches like partnership formation and rigid control mechanisms often prove ineffective in displacement contexts. This research makes three key contributions: first, it extends effectuation theory by identifying how institutional fragility fundamentally alters the utility of entrepreneurial strategies; second, it reveals displaced women’s innovative adaptations through informal networks and risk-minimising approaches; and third, it challenges universal applications of effectuation principles in crisis settings. This study contributes to sustainable entrepreneurship by demonstrating both the relevance and constraints of effectuation theory in crisis-affected environments. It underscores the importance of flexible, resourceful strategies for women entrepreneurs navigating systemic challenges, offering insights for policymakers and support organisations. Practical implications include designing capacity-building programmes that promote adaptive strategies, such as risk management and resource optimisation, while addressing the challenges of partnerships and rigid control mechanisms. By aligning with the goals of sustainable development, this research not only highlights the potential of effectuation principles but also unravels their limitations, providing a nuanced understanding of how entrepreneurial strategies can foster resilient livelihoods and sustainable economic practices in crisis-affected regions. Full article

Our study investigates the drivers that foster the emergence of entrepreneurial responses to climate change among Indigenous communities. Indigenous peoples possess distinct worldviews and approaches to enterprise that prioritize community well-being and environmental stewardship over individual profit. Conventional entrepreneurship theories do not adequately capture Indigenous business approaches, leaving a limited understanding of how Indigenous communities merge traditional ecological knowledge with entrepreneurial activities to adapt to climate challenges. Through a systematic literature review (65 articles) and a case study of six Sri Lankan Vedda communities, we identified 15 key drivers that shape Indigenous climate-adaptive ventures and categorized them under five themes: (1) place-based relationships (resource stewardship, territorial connections, environmental risk factors); (2) intergenerational learning (traditional knowledge transfer, adaptation learning, collective experience); (3) community institutions (social networks, institutional support, overcoming the agency–structure paradox); (4) collective capacity (access to information, access to capital, community-oriented entrepreneurial traits); and (5) culturally aligned venture strategies (Indigenous business models, traditional products, local market relationships). Our study demonstrates how Vedda communities integrate entrepreneurship with cultural values to enhance climate resilience. Our research advances the field of Indigenous entrepreneurship while providing insights for policymakers and practitioners to support culturally appropriate climate adaptation strategies that enhance both community well-being and environmental sustainability. Full article

This paper explores how bioeconomy-specialized clusters function as systemic intermediaries that support innovation, coordination, and business transformation in the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Using a qualitative case study methodology, we analyze how bioclusters in Romania enable SME development, knowledge transfer, and cross-sector innovation, ultimately strengthening regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. Findings highlight the role of clusters in supporting innovation management, access to financing, and policy alignment in the transition toward a circular bioeconomy. By fostering entrepreneurial networks, facilitating skill development, and supporting SME-driven innovation, clusters act as catalysts for inclusive and resilient business growth. This study highlights how clusters create an enabling environment by providing access to financing, technology, and market expansion opportunities. Although focused on a specific regional biocluster ecosystem, the findings underscore the scalability and replicability of this model across Europe, reinforcing its contribution to entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional economic development. This study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems and circular bioeconomy governance, emphasizing the role of clusters as intermediary organizations that facilitate business-led sustainability transitions. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers, outlining strategies to strengthen cluster-based innovation, enhance SME competitiveness, and embed circular practices into national and regional bioeconomy strategies. This paper’s added value lies in combining the Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) framework with empirical evidence from Romanian clusters—a context underexplored in current literature on circular bioeconomy transitions. Full article

This research examines how sustainability driven innovation and performance factors influence Nepali tourism-oriented small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating with limited resources. It investigates the relationships between entrepreneurial leadership (EL), network orientation (NO), and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by integrating the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Strategic Fit Theory. The study positions strategic flexibility (SF) as a moderator between EL and NO in shaping startup performance (SP), with technological innovation capabilities (TIC) acting as a mediator. EO plays a critical role in startup success, helping businesses overcome resource constraints and adopt sustainable practices such as green technologies and energy-saving methods. Through TIC, SMEs convert strategic orientations into competitive advantages, enabling them to address environmental and social sustainability challenges. In Nepal’s fragmented tourism sector, NO and EL do not directly affect organizational performance. However, the findings confirm that SF’s adaptive capability bridges EL and SP, underscoring adaptability as a key driver of sustainable growth. The research provides valuable insights into tourism and entrepreneurship in resource-scarce settings, highlighting adaptive strategies and technological advancement as critical for resilience and long-term sustainability. To explain how tourism SMEs in resource-constrained contexts, such as Nepal, achieve sustainable growth, the study integrates the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Strategic Fit Theory. The findings indicate that strategic flexibility (SF) and technological innovation capabilities (TIC) play significant mediating and moderating roles in linking entrepreneurial strategies to performance within fragile ecosystems. While previous research has primarily focused on advanced economies, this study demonstrates how SF and TIC mediate entrepreneurial strategies in fragile environments, offering practical implications for sustainable development in emerging markets. Full article

Considering the continuous diversity of the supply chain and the increasing risks involved, small and medium enterprises are overly concerned about managing related risks because these firms hardly have the capacity to bear major shocks. Furthermore, considering the resource scarcity of these firms, the moderating roles of entrepreneurial networking, and the current pace of change in technology, the moderating effect of technological turbulence has also been added to the research. Quantitative methods have been applied in this research. The data have been collected using adapted questionnaires from prior studies. A purposive sampling technique has been applied to collect the data. A sample of 99 small and medium enterprises was chosen, and their owners and managers were chosen as representatives. The framework has been evaluated using Structural equation modelling with the help of SMART PLS-3. The findings drawn from the analysis of the empirical data confirmed that supply chain risk management holds a significant impact on product innovation performance and sustainability in SMEs. Additionally, entrepreneurial networking and technological turbulence both hold a significant direct impact on product innovation performance and sustainability as well. Moreover, entrepreneurial networking and technological turbulence hold a significant moderating effect on the relationship between supply chain risk management and product innovation performance. Full article